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The Big Give is Back in North Branford

Have you seen them? They've been shaking cans, putting on events and teaming with local businesses -- The Big Give is back in North Branford. For the past few weeks, 18 teams of North Branford High School (NBHS) students have been working hard to raise hundreds, even thousands, for charity. Funds raised by the 2018 Big Give will be revealed in May.

This is the fifth time The Big Give has come to town. Established in 2010 as a bi-annual effort, $53,500 has been raised and distributed over the past four cycles (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016). What makes that bottom line even more remarkable is that the money always comes from the hearts and pocketbooks of community members giving generously to students seeking to assist local non-profits, families in need and national charitable organizations through The Big Give.

For 2018, students have stepped up to make a difference for a significant spread of causes, with the help of NBHS teachers Jessica Cavallaro and Megan Lee. They represent a cross section of the NBHS student population and all are volunteering their time to help out, said Cavallaro.

"What's so neat is none of these kids are required to be here at all. They're all purely taking it upon themselves to be a part of this," said Cavallaro.

Some of the students have dedicated themselves to causes close to home, like the five members of Floyd's Runners, named in honor of beloved NBHS track and cross country coach Floyd Parness, who passed away in 2017.

"For everyone in our group, he was our coach, for all three seasons," said senior Mackenzie Glenn.

The team had raised over $800, at last count, to help support the new Parness Family Scholarship and newly-named Floyd Parness 5K of the North Branford Potato and Corn Festival. Other team members are Patrick Miconi, Freddie Little, Noah Taylor and Aaron Beisaw.

Other Big Give teams and are bringing back causes they supported two years ago. Seniors Christopher Candelora and Ryan Stephens once again formed up "Students Helping Soldiers," holding a laser tag event in March to help raise money to support veterans through American Legion Post 83 in Branford.

"Ryan and I both have family members that have served in the military. We think it's important to help veterans," said Candelora.

Team Library is another team that's back in action, with some old and some new members. The main goal is to once again to support North Branford Town Libraries by putting on a fundraising Read-a-Thon. Team leader Rebecca Sabetta has been a part of the effort in the past and has been showing the ropes to members Ethan Sabetta and Shawn D'Aversa.

"The Read-a-Thon has raised hundreds of dollars in the past, so it's our main fundraiser," said D'Aversa, a freshman.

Still other Big Give teams are answering the call for help from families that have come to the attention of Cavellaro and Lee. Three North Branford families are being assisted with medical cost fundraising efforts, including one supported by teammates Lucia Pantani and Marlena Karsmarski.

"We're raising money for a woman who needs a double lung transplant," said Pantani. "Her children go to school in the district."

Students Caitlin May and Ashely Slubowksi have teamed up to raise funds to support a Northford family with a member facing heart surgery costs; while student Carly Sorrentino is also working to gather contributions to assist with heart surgery expenses being faced by another North Branford resident.

Another cause being supported which hits close to home is an effort by Team A+E Cubed (Emmy Norton, Alyssa Waligroski, Angelina Ramada, Amy Raucci). Team members are friends of a Branford family with North Branford ties.

"We're fundraising for Shane Murphy's scholarship foundation," said Raucci. "He passed away in 2015. Some of our team members are close with his family."

Murphy was a member of the Branford High School Class of 2014; the Shane Murphy Scholarship is awarded annually to a BHS student.

To date, the team has generated over $650 from donation boxes around town and hoped to raise more with a "shake-a-can" event held outside a retail business.

Another team planning to "shake-a-can" at two local businesses is the four-person team of Zach Smola, Ava Smola, Danielle Ramada and Alliyah Tropiano, who are working to benefit Autism Speaks.  The team's also set up a GoFundMe crowdfunding webpage which has generated more than $200, to date, said Zach Smola.

Some of the teams are supporting charities that have been assisted by NBHS Big Give students since 2010. Team Hope (Michael Madoule, Makayla Harrison, Sierra DePalma, and Zelda Galdenzi) is raising funds for CT-based Hope After Loss. The charity, which supports those who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss, is an organization near and dear to NBHS Big Give founder/past advisor Stephanie Byrd, who is now a Branford Public School administrator.

Matt's Mission Fund, a well-known North Branford non-profit and high school scholarship program, is another charitable organization which has been supported by Big Give teams through the years. Team Matt's Mission 2018 (Alyssa Diaz and Samantha DeAngelo) is working with Matt's Mission Fund founder Lynn Riordan to organize events to help raise funds.

Still other teams are seeking support from the community as part of The Big Give are those helping to find a cure, like team "No Kid Fights Alone" (Mairead Aiken, Amanda Teordoro, Carlie McIntyre) to benefit childhood cancer research through St. Baldrick's Foundation. By asking for donations at events including the North Branford Intermediate School musical, the team quickly raised over $120; and hopes to raise more from collections that could include the high school musical, said McIntyre.

Also out to help kids are the members of Team Han-Kar (Hanna Rispoli, Karlee Bureau, Cameron Fisco) who are raising money to benefit Special Olympics.

Assistance for animals is another cause being taken up, with an effort underway by team members Gabby Gibilisco and Kelli Jacboson to support Branford Compassion Club, which has a feline adoption center in North Branford. Putting out collection jars at local businesses has brought in over $100, to date, they said.

Other student teams working to support charitable causes by taking part in The Big Give 2018 are Strength for the Survivors, benefitting Be Homeful (Mary-Kate Torgerson, Kaylee Velez, Brianna Raccio); Team Nourishment, benefiting North Branford Food Pantry (Logan Frandsen, Chris, Callender, Ian McLay, Alvin Chan); Team Julian (Francesca Palma, Cole Sauro, Allie Augur) and March of Dimes (Kayla Bonaldo and Nick Bonaldo).

In May, Cavallaro and Lee plan to hold The Big Give's big reveal, when all of the students and many invited guests, including representatives from recipient groups, will find out the grand total raised by the 18 teams. In 2016, NBHS Big Give teams raised a total of $13,950.

"We're just really glad to have these kids involved so that we can keep this going," said Cavallaro. "Whatever they raise, we're going to be super proud of them."

To learn more about The Big Give or make a donation to one or more of the organizations being supported by teams, contact Jessica Cavallaro at jcavallaro@northbranfordschools.org or Megan Lee at mlee@northbranfordschools.org